CONTROLS Synonyms: 196 Similar and Opposite Words

controls 1 of 2

noun

plural of control

as in controllers

a mechanism for adjusting the operation of a device, machine, or system the controls for the player are well marked

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as in hands

the ability to direct the course of something after the tail fell off, the plane went out of the pilot's control firefighters keeping control of the blaze

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as in operations

the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something control of manufacturing operations was given to a new manager with fresh ideas

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as in powers

the right or means to command or control others teachers are responsible for the students under their control

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controls

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of control

as in regulates

to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) you must learn to control your temper

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as in contains

to gain emotional or mental control of he controlled himself only with the greatest difficulty in the face of his opponent's insulting remarks

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as in rules

to exercise authority or power over circumstances often control the choices we make in life

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as in operates

to look after and make decisions about during the period that she controlled the company it was highly profitable

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of controls

Noun

If those systems contain weak authorization controls, capable agents may find them. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026 The steering-wheel controls return to tactile thumbwheels rather than the touch-sensitive arrangement that was, to put it politely, a solution in search of a problem. — New Atlas, 22 Aug. 2026 The Canadian hemlock wood looks clean and substantial, and the heating panels, wiring, controls, lighting, and speakers are all neatly integrated. — Evan Russum, Architectural Digest, 22 Aug. 2026 Self Simulated is an obstacle-course platformer that recalls Super Meat Boy, but it's held back by controls that aren't nearly as tight and frustratingly large instant-kill hit boxes. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026 Excessive data gathering, lax access controls, indefinite retention, and insufficient governance all increase the impact of breaches. — Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 Other governments, including the US, have their own rules and disclosure requirements, but beyond the breadth of the controls in China, the sheer number of people affected is striking – and reaches far beyond civil servants. — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026 Though a slight majority, along with most Democrats and independents, would be okay with government price controls. — Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026 Being able to carry around classic games on your phone is amazing, but on-screen controls for these can die a very hot death in a very hot fire. — David Pierce, The Verge, 15 Aug. 2026

Verb

The privacy controls around those ads are especially relevant here. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026 But before Bane can finish him off, Batman stabs a Batarang into a little knob on Bane’s wrist gauntlet, the one that controls his intake of Venom. — Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026 When the Boston Red Sox were in the midst of an early-season swoon, the principal owner of the holding company that controls the team was moved to make rare public comments. — Hank Tucker, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 Assembly Appropriations Committee Chair Buffy Wicks, who controls what survives her committee, did not respond to questions about her decision to effectively kill the oversight bill there. — Julie Watts august 20, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026 Standard joystick controls force an operator to translate every wrist flick into cabin rotation, arm extension, or bucket movement, an unnatural mapping that engineers call a mental model. — New Atlas, 21 Aug. 2026 Leo Carlsson is a massive, highly skilled center who controls the middle of the ice and makes difficult plays look routine. — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 The party holds a supermajority in the legislature and controls every statewide office, yet voters have repeatedly used the initiative petition process to enact policies Republican leaders oppose. — Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 21 Aug. 2026 Starbase controls road access to a nearby beach, and a nature reserve during launches. — August 17, NPR, 17 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for controls

Noun

The Carlisle airport is uncontrolled airport, meaning there is no air traffic control tower or controllers on site.

— Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
While flight controllers managed to slow Link's tumble, issues continued to plague its pointing and positioning in orbit.

— CBS News, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of controllers

Noun

Prosecutors said Asora had Hansen zip-tie MacNeil’s hands before Hansen was restrained.

— Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
These include a severe or persistent headache, changes in vision such as blurred vision or seeing spots, pain in the upper abdomen, significant swelling of the face or hands, shortness of breath, and nausea or vomiting later in pregnancy.

— Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of hands

Noun

Mizan said that the verdict accused him of carrying out operations on behalf of Israel, the United States and other groups Iran considers hostile.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Lombardo directed state agencies to coordinate through Nevada’s emergency operations center.

— Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of operations

Noun

Russia, like most advanced military powers, uses electronic jamming to disrupt the signal between enemy drones and their pilots, forcing the weapons to crash or veer off course.

— Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
The pair co-starred as father and daughter Noah and Claire Bennet in the hit NBC show from 2006 to 2010, which saw a cast of ordinary characters suddenly gain superhero powers and abilities.

— Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of powers

Verb

Rousting caregivers at night Villa Serena’s ALFs have been repeatedly cited by the Agency for Health Care Administration, which regulates nursing homes and ALFs in Florida.

— Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
His department, through The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, regulates self-driving vehicles.

— Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of regulates

Verb

Each contains a proprietary ingredient combination named VitaMega Complex, consisting of vitamin-C rich Kakadu plum, inositol to strengthen the hair fiber, and sacha inchi, an omega-dense oil that nourishes hair.

— Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026
This pick from Dagne Dover pretty much checks every box—it is made from thick neoprene material that stands up on its own, contains multiple pockets for storage, and has a removable mesh pouch.

— Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of contains

Verb

For instance, European Union rules entitle travelers to standardized monetary compensation for significant flight delays or cancellations within airline control.

— Eve Chen, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
Department of Revenue rules state that Wisconsin residents can claim this credit on only one primary residence.

— Mary Spicuzza, jsonline.com, 18 Aug. 2026